Herefordshire Community Champions Awards
The awards have been developed to recognise and say a massive ‘Thank You’ to the extraordinary individual and group contributors, in Herefordshire that make it one of the best places in the country. The awards are open to anyone in Herefordshire, and we invite nominations for those who have demonstrated commitment to making a positive difference in their community.
Award categories for 2019 are:
 Community Champion
This award aims to recognise an individual of any age or a group who help make a real difference to other people or the community as a whole, possibly with just small things that may go unnoticed. This Community Champion may give their personal time to assist others to improve their wellbeing or that of their local area, striving to make a difference in a dedicated and selfless way. Different to an active volunteer or carer, this could be someone supporting a neighbour in one way or another, or providing a specific community facility. It could also be a fundraiser dedicated to promoting a good cause which is very much close to their heart and the local community.
Volunteer of the year
There are thousands of active volunteers in the area and the help and support they provide is vital to those in need. These people give up huge amounts of their time to improve the lives of others. This award category is open to all age groups and goes to a volunteer(s) who make a real difference. An individual or group who give freely and unselfishly of his/her or their time to help others, who have demonstrated innovation, teamwork, passion and integrity throughout their involvement and produced a profound effect through their work.
Caring Champion
This award recognises the significant role of an individual or group who shows dedication and goes that extra mile in providing care and support. It seeks to acknowledge and celebrate the dedication that carers show to their local community or society or the difference they have made to the life of a vulnerable lonely person or isolated people that they are caring for.
Environment Champion
This award aims to recognise a person or group who has significantly improved their area and community environment. It may be safer, cleaner, greener, friendlier or more attractive because of someone or something that they have done. It could be a small project that has made a big difference or an ongoing effort to enhance or improve the area. We all benefit from the maintenance and improvement of our local environment. These contributions might include tackling climate change or promoting and installing renewable energy. They could be community gardeners, taking it upon themselves to beautify their local area, support biodiversity and wildlife and improve natural eco-systems.
Youth Champion
Awarded to a young person or young group who encapsulates commitment, contribution and giving, either to or for the community, individuals, family or others. Through caring, volunteering, achieving, in showing spirit or heroic deed, perhaps above and beyond expectation and in ways that would not normally attract the limelight. To be awarded for the best positive contribution to peers, their school or college, their community or local area and is to open to anyone under the age of 21.
For more information and to to make a nomination visit  https://herefordshire.gov.uk/champions – nominations close on 11th February 2019.
All finalists are invited to the awards ceremony and dinner at the Shire Hall on 22nd March 2019.
